Ritger Wagonmaking and Blacksmith Shop · Photo: Shadowe · CC BY-SA 3.0Less hazard damage per building is expected in Addison than in 91% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Addison gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 91% of U.S. towns, #88 of 362 in Wisconsin. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (71%), then tornadoes (17%). Flood insurance has paid 2 claims here since 2008.
Graded on FEMA’s expected yearly building damage per dollar of building value (NRI v1.20, December 2025), weighted by where residents live; flood claims are shown, not graded. How hazard risk is graded
What Addison faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
River and rain flooding
Tornadoes
Hail
Shares are of FEMA’s expected building damage, the measure the grade uses; ranks compare each hazard’s building-damage rate with all 85,154 U.S. census tracts. In FEMA’s terms, river and rain flooding is FEMA’s “Inland Flooding” (rivers and streams overflowing their banks, or rain overwhelming drainage). FEMA defines coastal flooding as high or rising tides and storm surge, so surge damage is counted there. Drought isn’t listed: FEMA counts its losses in crops only.
What’s behind Addison’s grade
River and rain flooding is 71% of the building damage FEMA expects in Addison, and Addison’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 80% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 17% (higher than 77% of U.S. census tracts).
A #88 of 362 in Wisconsin; lower expected damage per building than 91% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Addison’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
The typical Wisconsin town has lower expected damage than 79% of U.S. towns; within the state, Addison has less expected damage per building than 76% of Wisconsin towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.5M a year in losses across Addison: $920K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Addison flood? Rarely: 2 flood claims since 2008
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Addison, from FEMA’s records: 1.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 69% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Storm2 claims · $31K
Addison isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Washington County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Addison
Disasters that paid out in Addison itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Addison), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2011Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$9K to the Town of Addison for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding$32K to the Town of Addison for repairs
- 2008Record Snow and Near Record Snow$7K to the Town of Addison for repairs
Washington County has had 11 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then floods. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Addison after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Addison archive →Addison and its neighbors
Addison is 4th of the 5 graded towns here, from least expected damage per building to most. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hartford | A+less damage than 96% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| West Bend | Aless damage than 93% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Wayne | Aless damage than 91% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Addison | Aless damage than 91% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Herman | B+less damage than 74% | river and rain flooding | — |
Hazard risk = FEMA’s expected yearly building damage per dollar of building value, vs. the 21,298 U.S. towns we grade; the map is shaded by fifths of the same scale. Flood claims = paid federal flood insurance claims on record.
Get ready for what Addison faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- Turn around at flooded roads: a foot of moving water can carry off a car.
- Flood insurance usually takes 30 days to start, so buy it before the forecast.
- Keep papers and medicines up high, in a grab-and-go bag.
- Pick your spot now: the lowest floor, an inside room, no windows.
- A watch means be ready; a warning means take cover now.
- Keep shoes and a flashlight by the bed.
- Park in a garage or under cover when storms are forecast.
- Stay away from windows while it falls.
- Photograph roof and car damage for your insurer.
- Look up the address on FEMA’s flood map.
- Ask the seller or landlord whether it has ever flooded, and what flood insurance costs there.
- Get a flood insurance quote early: policies usually start 30 days after you buy.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Addison
Is Addison at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Addison has lower expected damage per building than 91% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #88 of 362 in Wisconsin. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (71%) and tornadoes (17%). The figures are for the one census tract the town shares with its neighbors. This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Addison flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2 claims in Addison since 2008, $31K in all, or 1.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 69% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Storm (2).
Is Addison in a flood zone?
Flood zones are drawn street by street, so the answer depends on the address: look it up on FEMA’s flood map. In Washington County, 37% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.6% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Addison?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Addison’s flood program. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in Addison?
By FEMA money that reached Addison, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2008): $32K to the Town of Addison for repairs. By flood claims, Storm: 2 paid, $31K.
Is Addison at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (71%), and Addison’s rate for it is lower than 80% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Addison.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Addison’s residents lived in the 2020 census; OpenFEMA: NFIP redacted claims, multiple-loss properties, community status book and residential penetration rates, housing assistance (owners and renters), public assistance funded projects, hazard mitigation properties and disaster declarations. Homes: Census ACS 2020–24. Preparedness tips: Ready.gov. FEMA’s model is an average of expected damage, not a forecast. How hazard risk is graded.